Last Updated
If you’re planning a road or camping trip this summer, you’re going to want a sweet RV to do it in.
Not only will it provide a unique way to explore the country and its beautiful national parks, you may even save money.
Don’t own an RV? Not to worry. Because we’re going to fill you in on the best ways to rent one, including both peer-to-peer and traditional rental services, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
RV Sharing Sites vs. RV Rental Sites: What’s the Difference?
When looking for an RV rental, there are two main options for you to choose from.
One is rental marketplaces. These work a lot like Airbnb, except for RVs. Motorhome owners list their vehicle and its location along with the price per night, and if you like what they’re offering, you can contact them to make a deal.
Then there’s the more traditional RV rental companies. These aren’t much different than a normal car rental chain, like Hertz or Entreprise, if you’ve ever used one. The company has their own fleet of vehicles, with a variety of different classes, and you rent directly from them.
Which one is right for you?
Well, there are two main considerations here: price and convenience. The RV sharing sites are typically cheaper, while the RV rental companies are typically a little more convenient. Especially since they’re more likely to offer one-way rentals, where you can pick up the motorhome in one location and drop it off at another.
But there’s one more aspect, which is a little more subjective: variety. Going back to the Airbnb analogy, RV sharing sites offer a lot more choice. Just think of that unique little flat with the cozy décor that you rented from a couple advertising on Airbnb vs. a room at Holiday Inn or any other hotel chain.
That being said, that “variety” can sometimes come at the cost of consistency, since not all private renters take the same approach to things like cleaning or amenities.
For some more general tips on renting an RV, check out this article. Otherwise, let’s take a look at the best RV rental sites in both categories.
RVezy
There are a few really good RV rental marketplaces, but our top pick is RVezy.
It has a large selection of vehicles, from motorized to towable, in a variety of different classes. The site (and smartphone app) are easy to use, and there’s even an ‘Instant Book’ feature, much like the one you’d find on Airbnb.
And all rentals are backed with comprehensive insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance, along with top-notch customer support.
Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy is another great option.
They provide a large network of rentals to choose from, with many of the same benefits, including insurance and roadside assistance.
Their search settings help you narrow down the listings to find just what you’re looking for, and many of the RV’s and owners have user reviews that you can read through before you make a decision.
RVshare
Last but not least among our recommended RV sharing sites is RVshare.
And well, you can probably guess from the name what they do. Their selection is huge, but they give you robust search features to sort through them all. You can filter by location, type, and even whether the RV has an iPod docking station or rear vision camera.
Of course, each rental also includes the must-haves, like insurance and around-the-clock customer support.
Cruise America
Now, on to the traditional camper rental sites, where Cruise America sits at the top of the list.
There are 129 locations around the US (and a few in Canada), and one-way rentals are available, so you can pick it up in one place and drop it off in another. There are four different sizes to choose from, ranging from a truck camper to a large RV.
And they’re pet friendly too, so you can bring along your furry friends.
Camper Travel
What if you’re hitting the road abroad?
Camper Travel can help. It doesn’t have nearly as many locations in the US as Cruise America or the RV sharing sites, but it makes up for it with lots of international depots. It’s available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and over a dozen countries across Europe, including the UK, France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Norway, and others.
The site’s UI isn’t the sleekest – and the selection of RVs isn’t as large as the other sites on our list – but if you’re traveling outside of the US, it’s definitely worth using.
Read More:
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
Top 8 Tips for Renting an RV this Summer in the US
Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting US National Parks
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.